« Back

Featured

HARDLY DAMAGED!!!

By: Mical J. Roy, Entertainment Editor

Our lives are filled with inspiration from so many angles! Passions that drive us to achieve, believe, and dream efficiently. We dare to be bold, chilling, and eccentric…some of us dare, and some of us just do! No matter how far we are pushed to be like the masses, there are many of us who draw our own inscriptions on the wall, and watch as the masses follow our lead. We are essentially applauded for our efforts in the evolution of difference and change. We are celebrated for going against the grain and it’s the minimal difference that keeps us larger than life.

It’s mid-day on a finicky Houston day; the weather is unpredictable, many still bare their jackets from the freezing morning, as the sun adorns the sky. I’d been waiting so patiently to speak with the emphasis, trendy songbird we all know as D. Woods, formerly of Danity Kane/ Making the Band. Would she be open to this interview with a personality that mirrored what we see on television and on the stage or would she be worlds apart? There was only one way to know, and the big reveal was vastly approaching.

My blackberry blasts amid a quiet office space as I sat awaiting the call. It was Ms. Woods publicists’, Mr. Curry, whom I’d been speaking with over the past week or so, treacherously working to schedule me at least a small moment of D. Woods’ time. “Can you interview her now, she’s available”, he boasts! Just like that, my interview with D would begin. Mr. Curry told me he’d hang up with me, and call back with her on the line. Again, my phone chimed, as if an alarm clock at the right time.

“Hello there D. Woods”, I greeted poetically. Her response would set the tone for the rest of our short, yet lengthy conversation. “Heyyyyyyyyyyy what’s up?” she retorted. It was as if we were just catching up on lost time as opposed to an interview. It felt really good to finally speak with Ms. Woods and to be welcomed in such a warm fashion from her. I know you all are going to enjoy my interview with her.

I’d asked D. Woods the first thing that came to my mind. She seemed like such a born entertainer, from her 54.11 Reeboks, prom dress décor, to her attitude, she seemed ultimately born to be in the industry. Even being apart of a group, she always made an easy effort to separate herself from the name and identify better yet solidifying her individuality.

TCM: Was there another career you thought you may have wanted to pursue when you were younger?

D. WOODS: No, actually I’ve been in performing arts since I was 3 years old. It’s been different aspects of entertainment.

TCM: What are 3 things that you can’t live without?

D. WOODS: My phone, music (IPOD/LAPTOP), and my hair appointments.

TCM: Where do you get your inspiration from writing songs?

D. WOODS: Everything…I take in a lot, I watch a lot of movies/live performances. LL COOL J’s muscles were very inspiring!

TCM: What are your words of encouragement to chic teens trying to make it into the industry?

D. WOODS: I would definitely say to know your craft, and keep getting better because you could never have enough practice or knowledge. Always work on yourself and be true to self!

TCM: How would you describe your style?

D. WOODS: I would definitely say I’m a bit of a chameleon and I can mesh with whomever.

TCM: Tell us about any future projects you have in mind?

D. WOODS: I’m definitely doing a lot of writing in the studio, some performances and events coming up for the latter part of the year. I also have a film coming up that I’m about to start production on. I’m developing a workout video, so be on the lookout for all these things.

TCM: Will we see you on the big screen anytime soon?

D. WOODS: Well…that’s always a big question mark. The Girl’s Club (another group that D. Woods has been a member of prior to joining Danity Kane) will probably be putting together some more mix tapes as well.

TCM: What keeps you grounded?

D. WOODS: I would certainly have to say God and a lot of good friends around me. All my friends and I are all working towards the same goals we’ve been working on since High School.

TCM: What was the first thing that you bought when you got your first pay check?

D.WOODS: I’m still waiting on my first pay check (laughing). When I got my first substantial check that I could actually do something with, I put a big chunk down on Sallie Mae for my student loans.


TCM: What is your favorite collaboration so far?

D. WOODS: My favorite collab is always when I’m working with the Girl’s Club. I was really happy when Chanel (a member of The Girl’s Club) wrote the song entitled “Key to My Heart” and it made the album.

TCM: What would be your dream collaboration?

D. WOODS: My dream collab would be to work with Andre 3000 and I’m waiting for that perfect opportunity.

TCM: Give us some insight about you that your fans really don’t know.

D. WOODS: Well there are so many layers to me. I can be very academic, thought provoking, and fuse it all with entertainment. I hadn’t been able to express that artistic side, especially having been apart of a 5 girl group.

TCM: With reality TV the way it is, can we expect to see you with a TV show soon? Perhaps, “D. Woods NOT DAMAGED”?

D. WOODS: I’m not sure. Reality TV may not be where I want to be, since I’ve done reality TV before. I sometimes feel like if you give people too much, they don’t miss you.

TCM: Who are your favorite artists that are out right now?

D.WOODS: Oooooh, I’m a big fan of Estelle and she was inducted into the Girls Club. I like M.I.A., Andre 3000 and Outkast. I’m definitely a Hip Hop head. I love Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Kanye, and Weezy. I don’t care what anyone says, I love Chris Brown. I really can’t put my finger on it, but I just love his energy.

TCM: What do you like to do for fun?

D.WOODS: I like dancing and choreographing, putting events together that we (her and her crew) can show out on. We love big birthday events. My birthday was last July so we made a tour for my bday, and it was full of different groups; So Roc City came out and performed with me. I also like going to the movies and going skating…cutting people in line. LOL!

TCM: What album are you bumping really hard right now?

D. WOODS: Oh wow…I’m gonna throw you off a little bit. I go on ITUNES and I buy a bunch of old school stuff so right now I’m jamming Bobby McFerrin and I love mix tapes, like Grassroots stuff.

TCM: What is your biggest indulgence?

D. WOODS: Definitely sneakers, I love 54.11’s

For more information on D. Woods please check her out online at www.missdwoods.com

This entry was posted on Monday, January 26th, 2009 at 4:11 pm and is filed under Entertainment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.